Gran Canaria - possible move for a year, or annual short term stays - schooling

[QuintessentiallyInShade]

My recent health issues has thrown another spanner into our works, and in addition to all our usual deliberations, we are wondering if maybe Gran Canaria would be a good place for us. Either for a year, or for a two month stay every year.

We have the choice of either the Norwegian or the British school, as our children are bilingual. Both offer short term stays, as the curriculum follow the national in both cases.

Long shot, does anybody have any experience with going to school on Gran Canaria, either full time or using short term placements?

I spent half term in Puerto Rico (my sister lives there - and she is naturally biased and says "come, come!" enthusiastically). I felt so well while I was there, thinking I had turned a corner. But three days after returning to Britain I am fatigued again. I have bad vitamin D deficiency, so the problem is fixable, preferably with SUN, and then I need to ensure I keep it up, again with sun.

Any advice?

[magimedi]

Not being at all arsey here, Quint but I thought that Vit D (from sunshine) took 6 weeks or so to metabolise?

Could you possibly be suffering from SAD as well? I know how much better I feel for a dose of winter sunshine & I know (had it checked) that my Viit D is OK.

Just a thought.

[QuintessentiallyInShade]

I dont see that at arsy, it is a valid point.
I dont know how long time it takes to metabolize, I have read a lot about Vitamin D deficiency as you can imagine lately, but have not seen anything about time to metabolize.

I just know that I started my day with breakfast and coffee in the sun, and almost felt like a normal human being again. I returned to London Monday, was still energetic on Tuesday, but as Wednesday wore on, I felt more and more fatigued. I dont want to be this way. I miss the old me.

[magimedi]

Glad you didn't think I was being arsey (can't be too careful here, at times ).

We go off to the Canaries every December, coming back on 24th Dec very often, for 10 days to 2 weeks & the dose of sun really does help to get me through the rest of winter. Especially as I miss the darkest of the days & the run up to you-know-what!

How much outside time do you get each day?

ANd I wonder if you are just a teeny bit depressed? I remember your thread, a little while ago, about moving from the UK & I don't think you ever resolved that one?

Got to go out shortly but will pop back later this afternoon.

[QuintessentiallyInShade]

It can be dangerous grounds some times!

I am outdoors a lot when the weather is good, but I have always been very careful with applying sun lotion, to protect against skin cancer!

Depression is also an issue with vit d deficiency, so I would not rule that out.

We did resolve things, I was happy to remain here, but if my health is suffering (allergies, asthma) then it may not be the best place for us. At the moment we dont really know where is best.

[magimedi]

At the moment we dont really know where is best.

I realise I don't know you at all, but that remark sums things up for me . Being in limbo is vile.

I would think you might be best to try a month or so next winter & see what difference it makes to you.

I find that going away at the darkest bit of the year (December) is more beneficial than going now, when at least the days are getting longer & on a bright day here (Sussex) it is light until after 6pm now.

I'd have a look at some of the expat forums & see what you can find about schools there.

Good Luck.

[QuintessentiallyInShade]

I feel I have been in Limbo so long, while the kids are settling more and more, it is like I am in a weird parallelogram to my family.

I just want stability, and if that stability means spending months in the canaries every year, with trips to Norway thrown in, then I guess it will counter effect the weather, air pollution, lack of sunshine, and my low quality of life in Britain.